1 Samuel 17:43

43 The Pelishti said to David, Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks? The Pelishti cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 17:43 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 17:43

And the Philistine said unto David, [am] I a dog?
&c.] Truly David did not think him much better, because of his impudence, impurity, and barking blasphemy against God, and the armies of Israel; the Targum is,

``am I a despised dog?''

verily he was by David:

that thou comest to me with staves?
or with a staff, the plural for the singular, to beat him with it as a dog is beaten, and as David used to beat his dog with, while keeping his father's sheep, when the dog he had with him did not do his business as he should; he says nothing of his sling and stones, they being out of sight:

and the Philistine cursed David by his gods:
by Dagon and others; he made an imprecation by them, and wished the greatest evils might befall him from them; he devoted him to them, and doubted not to make a sacrifice of him.

1 Samuel 17:43 In-Context

41 The Pelishti came on and drew near to David; and the man who bore the shield went before him.

42 When the Pelishti looked about, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and withal of a fair face.

43 The Pelishti said to David, Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks? The Pelishti cursed David by his gods.

44 The Pelishti said to David, Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky, and to the animals of the field.

45 Then said David to the Pelishti, You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Yisra'el, whom you have defied.